Zero Waste

Zero Waste by 2015
Arizona State University is committed to achieving zero solid waste across all campus locations by 2015. The university will reduce its landfill waste by 90 percent, averting some waste through reduced consumption and diverting the rest through recycling, composting, and reusing or repurposing. Roadmap to Zero Waste

ASU is developing a university-wide composting program to support the Zero Waste by 2015 goal. Currently, about 12 tons of landscaping trimmings are composted monthly for use on campus landscapes. The Green Bin program at the Tempe campus will soon allow all campuses to compost food and compostable food-service items at dining halls.

ASU Mail Services has partnered with Ecological Mail Coalition to help reduce each department’s junk mail, including catalogs, magazines, and other advertising mail for employees who are no longer in a department.

Transportation

The ASU U-Pass provides unlimited access to all four campuses and greater Phoenix on Valley Metro bus routes and the METRO light rail. U-Pass is available to students, faculty, and staff for a discounted rate.

Commuters can use a free ridematching service to find others in the Valley who are interested in sharing the ride to work in a carpool or vanpool. ASU offers carpool-reserved parking spaces on both the Tempe and West campuses.

CSA partner The Farm at Agritopia sells fresh, healthy, organic produce to community members at ASU Polytechnic campus. Students, staff, faculty, and others purchase shares of high-quality, local produce, providing financial security to a local farm.

Water Filtration Stations

ASU sponsors a monthly farmers market at the Tempe campus during the school year to promote healthy eating and sustainability. The market features vendors of fresh produce grown by local Arizona farmers and other local products.

Engrained is a café on the Tempe campus that serves locally grown and sustainable meals made to order, displays information about local farms, and provides tips on ways patrons can incorporate eco-conscious behaviors into daily life.

Water Conservation

ASU is committed to reducing its indoor and outdoor water consumption through technology and refined practices.

Low-flow Fixtures

ASU has reduced water consumption in many buildings around campus through the installation of low-flow water fixtures such as sinks, showers, toilets, and in some buildings, waterless urinals. On average, these efficient appliances use approximately 30 percent less water than their conventional counterparts.

Landscaping Water Conservation

ASU's campus is Arizona's largest public arboretum, dedicated in 1990 and committed to proper water management and conservation while educating visitors about the complex ecological systems on earth. Facilities Management has instituted several practices designed to reduce the amount of water used in landscaping on campus. About two-thirds of campus is watered at night to prevent evaporation. An initiative is also underway to automate the remaining systems so that the different plants on campus receive water based on both current weather conditions and a given plant’s evapotranspiration rate. Existing flood irrigation infrastructure has been preserved for future use with a gray water system when practicable.

Buildings

Arizona State University has established a Sustainable Design Policy for new construction and major renovation projects on all ASU campuses. Design professionals, contractors, and third party project developers must incorporate the guidelines into their ASU projects.

Following a 2005 order by the governor of Arizona, ASU now requires, to the fullest extent practicable, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for all new construction of university-owned and operated buildings.

Grounds

The Arboretum at ASU encompasses the entire Tempe Campus and is managed by the Facilities Management Ground Services Department. As Arizona's largest public arboretum, it is home to more than 900 species and is nationally recognized arboretum as a flourishing oasis of plants from around the world.

Community Garden

Arizona State University at the Polytechnic campus has created a community garden, the first of several planned for all campuses. The garden encourages students to learn about permaculture and sustainable food practices, creates a sense of community, and transforms an underutilized area to one that is more vital and engaging.

Purchasing and Policy

Arizona State University-sponsored air travelers now have the option to select an Environmental Impact Fee (EIF) that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fund campus emissions-reduction projects. The EIF also enables ASU to comply with item 2c of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) signed by ASU President Michael Crow in 2006.

The Small Business and Diversity Program provides small and disadvantaged businesses with a fair opportunity to compete with large and national businesses to supply services and products to the university.

ASU created a values-based standard for significant business relationships, which influences the evaluation and selection of university contractors. In addition to mandatory contract provisions such as nondiscrimination, a safe and harassment-free work environment, and prohibition of controlled substances and weapons, contractors are asked to address several preferred provisions such as socially responsible wages, environmentally responsible practices, and employee education and training.

The President’s Award for Sustainability recognizes ASU faculty and staff who — working in departmental, interdepartmental, or transdisciplinary teams - have demonstrated excellence in fostering sustainability at Arizona State University.